Honestly, if you missed the boat on the Connor Bedard craze a couple of years back, you probably felt that familiar sting of "what if." But then Macklin Celebrini showed up. The San Jose Sharks phenom didn't just walk into the NHL; he basically kicked the door down. And for those of us who obsessively check eBay listings and local card shop arrivals, the Macklin Celebrini Young Guns card from 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 2 has become the absolute center of the universe.
It’s card #451.
That number is burned into the brains of collectors. When the set dropped on March 5, 2025, it was absolute chaos. I’m talking "lines around the block" kind of chaos. People weren't just looking for a hockey card; they were looking for a piece of the next great era of Sharks hockey. Celebrini’s debut season was a wild ride—63 points in 70 games, including a historic hat-trick against the Wild in April—and that on-ice success has kept his card values remarkably steady even as we move into 2026.
The Young Guns Mythos and Celebrini's Place In It
Why does this specific piece of cardboard matter so much? Basically, the Young Guns series is the gold standard for NHL rookie cards. Sure, you have Future Watch Autos and the high-end stuff from The Cup, but for the average collector, the Young Guns base card is the "true" rookie. It’s accessible, yet it holds its value like a tank.
Celebrini is unique. He’s the first freshman in NCAA history to win the Hobey Baker Award at just 17. That kind of pedigree doesn't happen often. When he signed with San Jose, the hobby knew the Series 2 release would be the "Celebrini Series."
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Wait, there’s actually more than one version. This is where people get tripped up.
You've got:
- The Base Young Guns (#451): This is the one everyone wants.
- The Young Guns Canvas: Found in the Extended Series, featuring a different photo and a textured finish.
- The Teammates Card: He shares this one with Will Smith (another Sharks stud).
- The Checklist Card: Where he’s paired up with Matvei Michkov.
What’s the Value Right Now?
If you’re looking to buy one today, be prepared to shell out. Early on, raw copies were moving for around $200 within 24 hours of release. Now that we’re in early 2026, a "raw" (ungraded) copy still hovers in that $150 to $180 range depending on the day.
If you’re looking at graded copies—the stuff that looks pretty in a plastic slab—a PSA 10 or SGC 10 is going to cost you significantly more. We’ve seen some of the rare parallels, like the Outburst Gold 1/1, reach legendary status, with one sale reportedly clearing $13,000. It’s nuts. But even the "Silver Outburst" or the "Clear Cut" versions are high-tier targets for the serious whales in the hobby.
Don't Get Fooled by the "Insert" Trap
I see this a lot on marketplace groups. Someone posts a "Celebrini Rookie" and wants $100 for it, but it’s just a base MVP card or a generic insert from a lower-end product.
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Know your card numbers.
If it doesn’t say "Young Guns" and it isn't #451 from 2024-25 Series 2, it’s not the card. The 2025-26 Upper Deck Series 1 actually has an "Encore" insert of Celebrini (card #E-10), but that’s a second-year card. It’s cool, and it usually sells for under $10, but don't confuse it with the actual Young Guns rookie.
Assessing the Condition: What to Look For
Thinking about buying a raw copy to grade? You've gotta be careful. Upper Deck had some quality control issues in 2024-25—shocker, I know.
First, check the corners. The dark blue and black borders on the Sharks' jerseys make corner chips stand out like a sore thumb. If you see even a tiny speck of white on those bottom corners, it’s probably not getting a 10. Second, the centering. Hold the card up and look at the "Young Guns" logo. Is it leaning too far to one side? These are the things that turn a $500 graded card back into a $150 raw card.
Why Celebrini Is Different From the Hype Trains
We've seen "flavor of the month" rookies before. Remember the hype around some of the guys who flared out after one good season? Celebrini feels different because his game is so complete. He led all NHL forwards in puck battle wins per game during the first half of his rookie year.
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That’s a "pro’s pro" stat.
It means he’s not just a highlight-reel fluke; he’s a foundational piece. For collectors, that's the ultimate safety net. You aren't just betting on a kid with a fast shot; you're betting on a guy who is likely to be the captain of a resurgent franchise for the next 15 years.
How to Get Your Hands on One Today
If you’re still hunting for the Macklin Celebrini Young Guns, you have a few realistic paths.
- The Hobby Box Gamble: You can still find 2024-25 Series 2 hobby boxes, but they aren't cheap. You’re looking at roughly $150 to $200 a box. You get six Young Guns per box, but with a 50-card checklist, the odds of pulling Macklin are roughly 1 in 8 boxes.
- Buying Singles: Honestly? This is the way. Don't chase the dragon. Just go to eBay or COMC and buy the card. The market has stabilized enough that you aren't overpaying for "release day hype" anymore.
- Retail Blasters: You can find these at big-box stores. The odds are worse, but the entry price is lower. Just know that "Retail" versions sometimes have different parallel odds.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
Stop checking the "Buy It Now" prices and start looking at "Sold" listings. That’s the only way to know the real market value. If you find a raw copy at a card show, bring a magnifying glass. Check the edges specifically—Upper Deck's cutting blades sometimes leave "burrs" or rough edges that kill the grade. If you're looking for long-term growth, the Young Guns Silver Outburst is the "short print" that usually appreciates the fastest if the player becomes a superstar.
Grab a one-touch case before you even buy the card. You don't want to be fumbling around with a $200 piece of cardboard without protection.